DFW School District Will Not Offer Remote Learning in 2021-22

The Allen Independent School District in Dallas,Texas, has announced that it will not offer virtual learning opportunities for the 2021-22 academic year. Superintendent Robin Bullock sent a district-wide email on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 4, announcing the district’s plans for the upcoming academic year.

“As we plan for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year, we are encouraged by the improved conditions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and the relatively low transmission rate within our community. I want to thank the Allen Fire Department for their partnership in administering vaccinations throughout the community while prioritizing its availability to our educators,” the email said.

“With these factors in mind, we are excited for all students to attend classes on our campuses for the upcoming school year. We look forward to refocusing our efforts to provide an excellent educational experience for students that support their social, emotional, and academic growth. For the 2021-2022 school year, we will not offer at-home, virtual learning.”

The district is also revoking its mask mandate as of July 1. Masks will be optional for students, faculty and staff. Bullock added that the district “will continue to monitor trends and will adjust accordingly should the need arise,” leaving the option open to reinstate the mandatory mask policy.

David Hicks, Allen ISD's chief information officer, said that pending any new guidance from the Texas Education Agency, “It’s going to be like a traditional school year.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning and Campus Security and Life Safety. He can be reached at [email protected]

Featured

  • UT-San Antonio Begins Residence Hall Renovations

    The University of Texas at San Antonio recently began a $6-million renovation project to one of its residence halls, according to a news release. Originally completed in 1986, Chisolm Hall measures in at 120,860 square feet and is the oldest and largest residence hall on campus.

  • Designing for Every Mind

    Learning environments have the power to shape not just what students know, but who they become. When a school is designed with genuine empathy—for the full range of ways students think, sense, and engage with the world—it becomes more than a building. It becomes a catalyst for growth, confidence, and belonging. That is the animating idea behind neurodiverse design, and it is one that is transforming how more architects and designers are thinking about school design.

  • Back-to-School Playground Safety: 7 Common Hazards to Look for After Summer Break

    As summer break comes to an end, school administrators have plenty to prepare before students return. While classrooms, hallways and common areas often receive attention during all the back-to-school preparations, the playground should not be overlooked. Months of weather exposure, storms, and regular wear can leave behind hazards that may not be immediately noticeable.

  • Purdue Fort Wayne Opens New Student Housing Complex

    Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW) in Fort Wayne, Ind., recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new, 600-bed student housing complex on campus, according to a news release.